Monday, January 20, 2014

As a baby boomer, I had been trying to avoid getting caught
up in this social media frenzy, but as you know, it has now become a way of
life. As an actor, it is crucial to have a strong online presence that stands
out from the crowd. Blake Jamieson’s book, TWITTER FOR ACTORS is the blueprint
to make that happen. It is so concise, well written and informative, I read it
in one sitting pausing only to make adjustments on my twitter page right after
learning something new.

With his clear graphics and step by step instructions,
you’ll have an extreme twitter make-over in minutes! Blake even gives tips on
how to use twitter effectively to build relationships in the entertainment
industry that will last throughout your entire career.

I was doing just that when a casting director I tweeted led
me to finding my birth mother!! As a fellow adoptee, we now have a common bond
deeper than any acting job could ever manifest.

No matter who you’re following on twitter, you must absolutely
add @TFAcom to the list! And check out my page @CarleaseBurke to see how professional
it looks after reading #TwitterForActors!!

Monday, January 6, 2014

A couple of years ago, I was dating this man who I mistakenly thought was "the one". Although I would love to forget most of the debacle it turned out to be, one event was quite humorous and inspired me to learn how to make biscuits. I put out a post on facebook and my fellow acting buddy, Bernard K. Addison came to the rescue with this recipe. Not only is this treat soooo easy to prepare, the biscuits actually come out fluffy, just like in this picture:

Preheat over to 400 degrees F. Stir together flour, baking powder, salt and sugar in a large bowl. Add cream, then stir just until a dough forms.Drop heaping 1/4 cups of batter about 1 inch apart on a ungreased large baking sheet. Bake in middle of oven until tops are pale golden and bottoms are golden brown, 18 to 20 minutes.

The story doesn't end here. I have written a couple of webisodes based on this bizarre relationship but when more significant events took place in my life, I put that project on hold. Now, I'm thinking about just highlighting the "biscuit incident". I have received many signs from the universe lately saying, "Yes, go ahead. Write it. Shoot it."Maybe that's where the story begins....

You remember Alice. The hit TV show from 1976 - 1985? Sure you do. Linda Lavin played the title character.At that time in my life, a recent college graduate and lover of the show, I could have never predicted that I would ever meet, let alone get to work with such a Hollywood icon. Here's a few highlights of my orbit among the stars with Linda Lavin:I met her on the set of The Back Up Plan where she played Jennifer Lopez's spunky grandmother. Even though Ms. Lavin and I didn't really have any dialogue together we struck up a friendship. At the time, I was working on my solo show and trying to juggle both projects at the same time. Imagine my surprise when she attended one of my performances! She showed up by herself, sat quietly in the back and clearly didn't want anyone to make a big fuss over her.We stayed in touch when she went back home to North Carolina where she told me she and her husband had a cabaret show. I told her if I was ever in her neck of the woods, I would love to see her perform.We spoke a couple of times over the phone and I strongly remember the time she called me while I was driving. She heard me struggling to locate my ear buds and hung up! I know it was because she had the sense to know that that was a dangerous move on my part. Who knows, Linda Lavin may have saved my life. I actually don't do that anymore because of her.

Currently, she is starring in another TV show called Sean Saves The World and just before the holidays, she did her cabaret show at the Catalina Bar and Grill in Hollywood. Of course I was there to support her, re-connect and thank her for her kindness. So many people (cast & crew) of Sean Saves The World were there also. It was an awesome performance and I watched her graciously greet each and every person who wanted an autograph, a picture or even a hug from her.From Alice to Sean Saves The World, this Diva is still going strong and I admire her longevity. I am grateful for my brief yet very powerful Linda Lavin moments.